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Considered one of the most technologically advanced inventions in the plastics industry, 3D printing can create a computer-generated hologram into a three-dimensional frame that can be held in the hand in a split second.
The origin of 3D printing technology is an improved version of injection molding technology, the traditional technique is still used to mold plastic products. If we want to understand 3D printing technology, we must first understand blow molding technology. Normally, when a manufacturer wants to mold polymer plastic into products with the shape of bottles and jars as we often use now, they will have to operate an injection molding machine. Plastic granules and additives will be poured into the machine, melted and pressed into a pre-designed mold (bottle mold, bottle cap mold, tube mold, etc.), then cooled and released from the machine. One blow molding machine can make hundreds of products of the same style every day. The popularity of blow extrusion technology poses a problem, if an engineer wants to create products with different designs and insignificant quantities of each type, should he also buy a machine? blow out huge capacity and cast out a wide range of disposable molds?
"3D printing technology for creative production, blow molding technology for mass production" is the best answer to the difference. The intended use between these two types of product engineering. 3D printing technology was born to solve the problem of what can be done to give life a single plastic product in the shortest time. Private artists and engineers are loyal customers of this new technology. Japanese doll maker Danny Choo says he can design different types of dolls based on a customer's prototype, and it only takes a few hours to "print" the product. Currently, one of the most popular applications of 3D printing technology is creating artificial body parts to assist people with disabilities. In return, when there is a need to mass produce common everyday items, manufacturers still look to blow molding technology. Once a mold is available, a blow molding machine can supply the need to manufacture a certain product for a large market.
The biggest question in the tech industry right now is: "can 3D printing technology 'woven' onto human models?" The answer given by experts is "possibly, but not now, but in the not-too-distant future". The biggest limitation of 3D printing technology now is product stature and detail. Current 3D printers can only run programs that include compact items.
The bio-based PEF material is a great option for a circular economy due to its recyclability. Let's see how it can benefit the packaging industry!